Mike Maldonado – “Sonero De Los Soneros”

As you near the club you could hear the music at a distance… Once you get inside and make your way through the crowd you can feel the swing of the band in high gear as the congas move the tempo forward like clockwork. The “cascara” of the timbal and the slapping sounds of the bongo compliment the tempo and complete all the necessary elements to carry the swing of the band. The dancers respond. The ones not dancing form a crowd around the stage. As the “Sonero” joins the tune and begins to sing, all eyes are on him. His crafty lyrics send a message to all letting them know he is the baddest mother f in the house. As the dancers revolve around the dance floor it is hard for the ladies to ignore the voice that carries the message. The singer, although small in stature is a giant in many ways. That singer is no other than Mike Maldonado, the Chicago Salsa Icon who delivered the message for so many salsa bands in Chicago for decades.
Mike Maldonado came to Chicago many years ago from Utuado, Puerto Rico. His love for music was second to none and he quickly became involved in the Chicago Latin music scene. In the over 50 plus years he spent in the city he sang with most of the popular salsa bands. Back in the day Mike Maldonado sang with Los Humacaenos and Rio Platense. I recall the first time I saw him he was singing at the Las Vegas Night Club with a group there. I remember that Mike was never out of a gig and had done time with many other established bands such as, Felipe Y Su Gran Sonora, “Tarzan” (Edwin Rivera) Y Su Orquesta, and on occasion with La Sonora Tropical and La Confidencia. I recall that during the 1970s Mike Maldonado started a band called “Nova.” I remember comparing the group to Tipica 73 from New York at the time because they had a similar sound. The group was very popular and became the house band for one of the Latin clubs in the city for a long time. They were one of my favorite groups of that time. Later on, after the breakup of “Nova,” Mike Maldonado found a new home with “La Confidencia,” who was going through some personnel changes. Mike’s professionalism and savvy style of singing solidified the sound of La Confidencia, who became one of the longest lasting salsa bands in the city.
After several years away from the Latin scene I heard about a band called the 911 Mambo Orchestra. I found out that the band, under the direction of Trombonist Angel Melendez, had recorded an album that was nominated for a Grammy – a first for a Chicago Salsa band. I decided to check out a few tracks from the CD and was surprised when I recognized the vocals of none other than Mike Maldonado. I remember talking to Mike Maldonado about the recording later on. He would beam when he talked about it. He said that after so many years paying his dues in Chicago he could not believe that his first recording with 911 Mambo Orchestra resulted in a Grammy nomination. He said it was “like hitting a home run in your first at bat.” He was truly proud of this accomplishment and proud of the band and grateful to Angel Melendez for the opportunity.
A couple of years ago a local musician called me and told me that Mike Maldonado was retiring and moving to Florida and that Angel Melendez was having a homage to him at a popular downtown restaurant. I agreed to go and was glad to meet up with him again and reminisce about old times and the development of salsa over the years. We had a great time and exchanged numbers. After a few weeks, I called Mike to see how things were going in Florida. He told me things were great and that I should come down because there was a lot of work there. As it turned out Mike couldn’t stay away from salsa. He wound up singing for a group there called “La Nueva Herencia” and never really retired from music. You see, it’s not easy retiring from salsa or completely quitting something you love. A short time after our conversation I was saddened to learn that Mike Maldonado had passed away in Florida. Mike Maldonado may have left us with no one to fill his role here in Chicago as the premier “Sonero” but make no mistake, Mike Maldonado is still singing those crafty lyrics in the sky letting them know he is still the baddest mother f  around. Thanks for giving us all those years of good salsa. We miss you.

To read a little more on Mike Maldonado click on the attached link.
http://redalyc.uaemex.mx/pdf/377/37716111.pdf